Interproximal compact



0d. 18, 1932. F H, CQNNQR 1,883,584

INTERPROXIMAL COMPACT Filed Feb. 16, 1931 Patented Oct. 18, 1932 PATENT OFFICE FRANK E. CONNOR, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA INTEBPROXIJIAL COMPACT Application led February 16, 1931. Serial No. 516,031.

This invention relates to expansion instrumentalities and method of using same in the art of dentistry, and relates'particularly to such a device for use in the temporary separating of teeth prior to the filling of same.

The principal object is to produce a more eicient and simple instrumentality than heretofore known, and the novel method in the use of same.

The objection to various methods common in the art of dentistry for separating teeth, for `example, the practice of forcing cotton intermediate of the teeth and ligating same therein, is that it is effective only for a comparatively short time and subjects the patient to more or less initial discmforture, and furthermore, when such or similar methods are practiced, and it becomes inconvenient to give the patient attention within a comparal tively short time, various unsanitary conditions arse that are very unsatisfactory. Even where sheet rubber or wire is employed, the objections to same are well known.

As compared with the above it is quite obvious that applicants method necessitates no initial inconvenience whatever in its application, and when once properly applied will continuato function until the predetermined results have been accomplished, and that with no danger of unsanitary conditions even if left an abnormal length of time in the patients mouth.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description thereof. v

In the accompanying drawing, showing one embodiment of the invention, and in which like reference characters indicate like parts:

4o 1 is a view of a pair of incisor teeth having opposed cavities therein, and in which is acked one of the improved compacts;

igure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 except that the area about the teeth having the compact therein is shown in section, as well as the compact itself.

The compact or expanding element coml a relatively small unit of pure rubber prises is known to be highly resilient indiwhich rubber,

cated at 1, surrounded by a somewhat larger unit of gutta-percha which is highly flexible, but only slightly resilient, or similar element, illustrated at 2. The method of preparing such a compact, locally at least, that is to say, by a dentist himself, is to first select the unit of rubber, then heat the approximately proper amount of gutta-percha and apply it externally to the unit of rubber, when the compact thus formed is forced into the cavity or cavities in the teeth and between same. It is obviously essential to apply suiiicient pressure to such interproximal compact to suiciently compress the rubber core so that its subsequent expansive action will tend to force the teeth apart, thus accomplishing the desired results; it being also obvious that the proportionate slzes of rubber and guttapercha may be varled to suit individual cir@ cumstances.

It is further apparent from the foregoing that an installation of such a unit is free fron` the objection of insanitation, as the outer surface of the compact may be kept as clean as any portion of the teeth themselves, and that it is proof against any foreign or objectionable substance entering the cavities thus prepared.

It is to be understood that such compacts may be prepared in various predetermined sizes for convenient use in the art and so niarketed, and that it is quite within the scope of the appended claim to employ other relatively resilient and yieldable materials in lieu of those here specifically mentioned.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A tooth separatingl compact consisting of surrounded by gutta-percha. In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

FRANK H. CONNOR. l 

